Kathmandu — Acting Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, Dhirghayu Kumar Shrestha, has said he is positive about allowing the private sector to enter electricity trading and transmission line construction.
Speaking at the 24th general assembly of the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), Shrestha noted that the private sector has made a significant contribution to the country’s total installed capacity. “The contribution of the private sector in power generation is highly commendable,” he said. “Out of around 4,500 MW of installed capacity, the Authority itself has only about 600 MW.”
He emphasized the need to open up electricity trading and transmission line development to the private sector in the coming days.
He also stated that the private sector would play a crucial role in achieving the government’s target of exporting 15,000 MW of electricity.
Shrestha further said that the private sector engaged in energy development has been facing obstacles due to various forest-related issues, and stressed that the Energy Minister should take initiative to resolve these problems and boost morale. He added that transmission line construction remains challenging and called for collaboration with the private sector to develop transmission infrastructure.
Kantipur
